TDAC

TDAC is the online arrival form that all foreign visitors must complete within 3 days before arriving in Thailand. Below is a step-by-step guide with all the essentials, common questions, and tips to help you breeze through Thai immigration (updated 3 September 2026).

🤔 What is TDAC, and Who Needs It?

• TDAC = Digital Arrival Card: An online form (no paper) capturing your travel and health info for Thai immigration. You’ll get a QR code confirmation after submitting.
• Mandatory for All Foreigners: Since May 1, 2025, every non-Thai national must complete a TDAC before each entry into Thailand. This includes tourists, business travelers, visa-exempt visitors, those on Visa-On-Arrival, and even long-term visa holders – everyone who isn’t a Thai citizen (yes, even babies and kids need their own TDAC! Parents can fill it out for them.)
• Every Entry & Every Traveler: The TDAC is one-time use for a single entry – if you leave and come back, you have to do a new one each time. Families or groups can submit together (up to 10 people in one group submission for convenience), but each person still gets their own QR code.
• Not a Visa, Just an Entry Form: The TDAC is not a visa or work permit – it doesn’t grant you the right to enter Thailand, it’s just an arrival info form. You still must meet visa requirements or visa-exemption rules separately. (So if you need a tourist visa or qualify for visa-free entry, that doesn’t change – TDAC is in addition to whatever visa/entry stamp you get.)
• Exceptions: The only people who don’t need TDAC are those who aren’t actually entering Thailand. For example, if you’re just transiting through a Thai airport and not passing immigration (staying airside for a connecting flight), you do not need to submit a TDAC. Also, airline crew members are exempt. But if you step out of the airport or cross the border by land/sea, you must have TDAC.

📅 When and How to Complete TDAC

• Timing: You can only submit the TDAC in the 72 hours before your arrival in Thailand. In other words, within 3 days of your expected arrival date (including the arrival day itself). You cannot complete it earlier than that – the system won’t accept dates more than 72 hours out. (If you try too early, you’ll get an error; just wait until you’re inside the 3-day window.)
• Don’t Wait Last-Minute: While you can technically fill it out on the day of your flight or even upon landing (there’s no hard “minimum” time), it’s strongly recommended to do it before you travel. If you wait until arrival, you’ll face delays – you’d have to scramble to fill it on your phone or at an airport kiosk while others are queueing. To avoid stress, do it a day or two before your trip so you have the QR code ready.
• Peak Travel Tip: During busy seasons (holidays, etc.), servers might be slow or busy. Since you only have that 3-day window, try to complete the TDAC as early in the window as possible (e.g. exactly 72-48 hours ahead) to account for any technical hiccups. It only takes a few minutes when you have your info ready.
• Where to Fill It: Online, on the official website. Go to tdac.immigration.go.th and click “Arrival Card” to start. Important: Use the official site (".go.th") – it’s free. Beware of lookalike or third-party sites that might charge a fee (more on scams later). There’s an official mobile app called THIM too (IOS, Android). Instructions are available in English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Russian.
• No Paper Option: The old paper TM6 cards are gone. Initially, immigration provided some paper forms during the transition, but that was temporary. Now you are expected to use the digital form exclusively. Airlines generally no longer hand out arrival cards on flights to Thailand – don’t be surprised when you don’t get one on the plane. Plan to do the TDAC online before landing.
• Forgot or Can’t Submit? Don’t panic. Thai airports have kiosks and free Wi-Fi to help travelers who didn’t do the TDAC in advance. At major airports (like Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai), there are TDAC Kiosks where you can fill the form on arrival. Immigration staff can assist if needed. However, this is a backup option – expect to spend extra time. It’s much better to arrive with the QR code in hand than to fiddle with forms at the airport.

📑 What Info Do You Need for TDAC?

Before you start, get your documents and details ready. Filling out TDAC is straightforward if you have the info on hand. Here’s what you’ll need to provide:

• 🛂 Personal Details: Full passport information (passport number, name as in passport, date of birth, nationality, gender). If you have a visa already (like a visa number from an embassy or e-visa), have that handy (the form may ask, though visa info isn’t required for everyone). You’ll also give your country of residence and an occupation from a dropdown list.
• ✈️ Travel Details: Your arrival date in Thailand and mode of entry (Air, Land, or Sea). You’ll need to specify your flight number if flying, or other transport details if coming by land/sea (e.g. bus or train number, vehicle license, etc.). Also select your country of embarkation (where you’re coming from directly). The form may ask for your departure date and flight if you have one (especially for short-term visitors) – you can fill this if you know it, but it’s not strictly required to submit the form (more on onward tickets in the FAQ section). Additionally, choose the purpose of your visit (tourism, business, etc.) from the options.
• 🏨 Accommodation in Thailand: The address where you will stay on arrival. This includes the type of accommodation (hotel, hostel, home, etc.), plus the full address in Thailand. The form will have you select the Province, then the District (amphoe) and Sub-district (tambon) from dropdown lists, and then you type in the street address and hotel/house name and postal code. 💡 Tip: If you’re not sure of the district/tambon, look up the address (Google Maps or your booking confirmation) to find the province and district names. The form auto-fills the sub-district once you choose a district. You only need to provide an initial address (you won’t have to list every place you’ll visit) – see FAQ if you plan to travel around.
• 🩺 Health & Travel History: A brief health declaration. You’ll list the countries you visited in the 14 days before Thailand (if you’ve been traveling, or just your home country if that’s where you’ve been). If you’ve had any illness symptoms recently, you might have to check a box or describe them (it’s usually a short yes/no section for things like fever, cough in last 2 weeks). Important: If you are arriving from a country with a Yellow Fever risk, you must have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination and note it on the form. (The form will prompt you about this if you select a country with a Yellow Fever warning in your travel history.)
• 📧 Contact Info: Email address where your TDAC confirmation will be sent. Double-check this, because after you submit, the system emails you a QR code and details. You don’t want a typo here. A phone number is also requested (your mobile number), but this might be optional – it’s mainly for contact tracing or in case they need to reach you (you can put your international mobile or a local Thai number if you have one).

None of the above requires any document upload (as of now) – you just fill in the info. No fee or payment is needed at all (TDAC is completely free). Once you have these details ready, you’re set to fill out the form.

🖥️ Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out TDAC

Filling out TDAC online is quick. Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough:

• Visit the Official TDAC Website: Go to tdac.immigration.go.th (the official Thai Immigration TDAC page). Click on “Arrival Card” to start a new submission (if the site opens a welcome page, look for the “Arrival Card” button). Note: The official site has no fees and no login required – avoid any site that asks for payment or registration other than an email for the TDAC form. Or use the THIM App.
• Select Language (if needed): By default, the site is in English, but you can choose other languages (top-right corner) if you’re more comfortable. Languages available include Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Russian, etc.
• Enter Personal Details: The first page will ask for your personal information. Fill in all required fields (marked with a red asterisk ). This includes your name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and likely your gender, occupation, and country of residence. If it asks for a visa number and you have a visa, enter it (if you’re visa-exempt or don’t have a visa, this field may be left blank or say “Not applicable”). Provide a contact phone number as well. Double-check everything for accuracy, then hit “Continue”.
• Enter Travel Details: Next, input your travel information. Select your mode of travel (e.g. Air – Commercial Flight for most visitors flying in). Enter your Arrival Date (choose from a calendar) and your Flight Number (for example, TG910 or EK384; if you have multiple legs, use the flight number of the flight that lands you in Thailand). For land border crossings, choose Land and enter a vehicle or bus/train identifier if available – if you’re unsure, you might enter the border checkpoint name or your bus company (the form may have guidance for land entries). Also choose your Country of Embarkation (where you are coming from directly) and Purpose of Visit (tourism, business, etc.). Note: The form does not force you to fill departure details to proceed, so if it’s not applicable or you don’t have a fixed plan, you might leave “departure date/flight” blank (or fill in an approximate date) – it will still let you continue. Continue to the next page.
• Enter Accommodation (Thai Address): Now fill in where you plan to stay first in Thailand. Select the Type of accommodation (e.g. Hotel, Home, Hostel, Friend’s House, etc.). Then choose the Province (like Bangkok, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Phuket, etc.). The system will load the list of Districts for that province; pick the correct district (and then the Sub-district list will appear – select the area/township). Enter the street address or name of the place. For hotels, usually you’d put the hotel name on one line and street address on next – the form may have separate fields for “House name/number” and “Street”. Include the postal code if you have it (not always mandatory). Don’t worry if this seems precise – just do your best to match your booking info. Tip: If you’re traveling to multiple places, just enter your first night’s address or primary location – it does not have to cover your whole itinerary. Immigration only cares about an initial contact address. (See FAQ “Multiple Destinations” for more on this.) After filling the address, click “Continue.”
• Fill Out Health Declaration: The next page is about recent travel and health. There will be a field to list countries you visited in the past 14 days (if you transited or visited other countries en route, list them; if not, you can leave it blank or just put your home country). Indicate if you’ve had any COVID-19 or other illness symptoms lately (typically a yes/no checkbox, most people will select “No symptoms”). If you were in a Yellow Fever country recently, be prepared to show your Yellow Fever vaccine card on arrival (you might tick a box that you have the vaccine if applicable). This section is usually very quick – then proceed to the Preview page.
• Review & Submit: You’ll see a summary of all the info you’ve entered (Personal, Travel, Accommodation, Health). Review carefully to make sure everything is correct. If you spot an error, you can go back to edit. Once it all looks good, scroll down. You’ll need to enter your Email address (if not already provided) for the confirmation and maybe re-confirm it. Tick the checkbox to agree to the terms (basically certifying the info is true). Finally, hit the “Submit” button 🎉. The system will process your data (it usually only takes a few seconds). No payment is required – if you are asked for money at this point, you’re on the wrong site!
• Save Your Confirmation: After submitting, you should get a confirmation screen with a QR code and your TDAC reference details. Take a screenshot or photo of this QR code immediately thaiembassy.com, especially if you’re on a public computer or might not have internet later. Also, check your email – an official confirmation email with a PDF or image of the QR code and your form info should arrive shortly (often within minutes). Save that email/QR code on your phone (you can download the PDF or keep the screenshot in your gallery). If you don’t see the email, peek in your spam folder just in case.
• (Optional) Adding Travelers: If you are traveling with family or a group, the TDAC system lets you “Add Other Travelers” after you fill your own info, before hitting submit. This way, you can enter multiple people’s details in one session. Use the “Add Traveler” option to include your spouse, kids, or friends one by one (you’ll fill each person’s personal, travel, accommodation info). You can add up to 10 people in one group submission. The system will generate separate QR codes for each person but you might receive them all together or in separate emails. It’s okay if one person’s email is used for all – just make sure you save each confirmation. If you forgot to add someone, no worries – they can submit separately, or you can do a new form for them.
• You’re Done! ✅ Printout not required. You now have your Thailand Digital Arrival Card ready. Carry a digital copy of that QR code (on your phone or tablet). You do not need to print the TDAC confirmation – Thai immigration accepts the digital version and, in fact, your data is already in their system once submitted. (That said, if you feel safer with paper, you can print the email PDF and bring it, but it’s usually unnecessary.) Keep the TDAC confirmation accessible during your journey (you might need to show it at check-in or boarding if asked, and definitely at immigration).

🛂 Presenting TDAC at Immigration

Arriving in Thailand is smooth if you have completed TDAC:

• At Passport Control: When you reach the immigration officer, have your passport ready as usual, and pull up the TDAC QR code on your phone (screenshot or have the printout ready). The officer will scan your passport. Your TDAC info is linked to your passport number and will already be visible in their system. In many cases, officers don’t even ask to see your phone if they see the TDAC on their screen – but be prepared to show the QR code or email if asked. It’s a quick scan that confirms you submitted the form.
• Show, Don’t Surrender: If showing on a device, increase your screen brightness and zoom into the QR code so it’s easy to scan. You shouldn’t have to hand over your phone; just display it clearly. If you printed it, hand the paper along with your passport.
• No TDAC, No Entry: If for some reason your TDAC isn’t done or can’t be found, the officer may direct you to fill it on the spot (either on your phone off to the side or at a kiosk). This will hold you up and possibly those in line behind you. That’s why doing it in advance is important – it saves everyone time.
• After Immigration: Once you’re stamped in, don’t delete or throw away the TDAC confirmation. It’s advised to keep it until you leave Thailand. In the past, the paper TM6 card had a departure portion you’d return when exiting; now there’s no paper, but immigration might still ask for proof of your entry (in case their system needs confirmation). Usually, you won’t be asked for the TDAC at departure, but hold onto it just in case – some airline counters or immigration officers could ask if any info is missing. Better safe than sorry – keep that email/QR code until you’re back home.
• Faster Processing: Overall, having TDAC done means your entry is quicker. Travelers report that immigration is often very fast now – since there’s no paper to fill and the data is pre-submitted, it’s often just a quick passport scan, stamp, and you’re on your way. Officers might ask a routine question or two (e.g. “How long will you stay?” or “Is this your first time in Thailand?”) but they rarely inquire about the TDAC info itself because they trust what’s in the system. As long as you completed it truthfully, you should sail through with a smile 😄.

Check out my Bangkok Arrival Guide.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (TDAC FAQs) & Top Tips

• Q: I’m visiting multiple cities/hotels in Thailand—which address should I put on TDAC?
  A: Just provide your first stop or primary address. The form only requires one address, so list the first hotel or residence where you’ll stay after arriving. You do not need to update the form as you move around the country; once you’re in Thailand, if you go to other hotels, those hotels will handle the local reporting (the TM30 form) to immigration about where you stay. Immigration doesn’t expect an itinerary – a single contact address is fine. Tip: If you’re backpacking around or don’t have a first night booked, you can even put a tentative hotel or any address in the city you plan to visit first. It’s mainly for record-keeping; nobody will check if you actually stay there. So don’t worry if your plans aren’t fixed – use your best guess for an address (many travelers just put their initial hotel/hostel, and it’s OK if you change later).
• Q: What if I’m staying with a friend or at an Airbnb, not a hotel
  A: That’s totally fine. You can use any valid address where you will stay – your friend’s apartment, a condo, an Airbnb house, etc. The form even has an option for “Friend’s home” or “House” in the accommodation type. Some seasoned travelers suggest if you’re a short-term tourist, an easy route is to put a hotel address (since it’s straightforward and hotels automatically do TM30 reports). But it’s not required to have a hotel booking at all. If you put a private address, immigration will not ask for proof or booking – in fact, officers won’t typically verify the address beyond having it on record. So use the address where you truly intend to stay. Just ensure the address is complete (province, district, etc.) so the form lets you submit. If you’re unsure of the district or postal code for your friend’s place, ask them or use Google to find it. Rest assured, as long as the TDAC is filed, you won’t be grilled about where you’re staying; they mainly want an address for their system.
• Q: Do I need to print out the TDAC confirmation, or is a digital copy on my phone enough?
  A: You do NOT need to print it. A digital copy is perfectly acceptable. Thai Immigration officers are equipped to scan the QR code from your phone. In fact, once you submit TDAC, your information is already in their database, keyed to your passport. I recommend that you take a screenshot of the QR code or save the PDF on your device, so it’s handy even if you don’t have internet. At the immigration counter, simply show the QR code (from the email or screenshot). That’s it. Only in rare cases (tech glitch or unable to scan) would an officer maybe ask for a printed copy, but this is highly uncommon. As a backup, you could print it if it gives you peace of mind, but virtually all travelers use their phones. Just make sure your device is charged when you land 🔋😉.
• Q: I heard TDAC is free—so why do some websites charge money
  A: Because those are not the official site. The official TDAC application on the Thai Immigration website is 100% free. Unfortunately, if you Google for “Thailand Digital Arrival Card,” you’ll see some agency sites offering to do it for you, sometimes for a fee. Avoid those unless you have a specific reason. Some legit travel agents (like a .co.th site) allow submissions and only charge if you try to submit earlier than 72 hours (since the official system only opens at 72h). But 99% of travelers will never need that – just wait until you are within 3 days of arrival and use the official .go.th site. There is no requirement to use an agent or pay anyone. Be careful of scam sites with similar names – always check the URL is exactly tdac.immigration.go.th (or access via a trusted link from Thai government pages). If a site is asking for credit card info or $10–20 for a “Thailand e-arrival card,” that’s a red flag 🚩. Save your money and do it yourself in minutes for free.
• Q: What if I made a mistake on my TDAC or my travel plans changed after I submitted it?
  A: You can update or redo it if needed. The TDAC system lets you “Update Arrival Card” on the official website, which means you can modify certain details (like your flight number, arrival date, or accommodation) if they change before you travel. For example, if you originally entered a hotel but decide to stay elsewhere, or your flight gets rescheduled, you can go back in and adjust these fields. However, you cannot change core identity info (name, passport number, nationality, DOB) once submitted. If you realize you made an error in those (say, passport number typo), the solution is to submit a brand new TDAC form correctly. Don’t worry about duplicates – the latest submission will override the previous one in the immigration system. Just make sure the last one you submit is accurate. There is no penalty for multiple submissions; the system will consider the most recent valid entry for your passport. If you don’t get a confirmation email after submitting, first check spam, then you could submit again or contact their support. It’s better to have two submissions than zero when you show up at the border.
• Q: Do I need to do TDAC for my children as well?
  A: Yes. Every non-Thai traveler, regardless of age, needs their own TDAC entry. This includes infants, toddlers, kids – everyone. Of course, a parent or guardian will fill out the form on behalf of the young ones. When using the TDAC website, after entering your own details, you can click “Add Other Travelers” to add your kids/spouse in one go. This way you submit as a group and receive all the QR codes by email. It’s perfectly fine to use one email address for multiple people’s TDACs if you apply together (just make sure you save each person’s code). If family members are arriving on different flights or dates, you should do separate submissions for each entry. Bottom line: Don’t forget to include the little ones – they won’t have a paper arrival card stuck in their passport like before, so TDAC is needed to document their entry too.
• Q: Will the airline check for my TDAC before I board the flight
  A: Generally, airlines do not actively check for TDAC at check-in – at least not yet. Airlines are mainly concerned with visas and return tickets as required.TDAC is a Thai immigration requirement upon arrival, and Thailand currently does not impose fines on airlines if a passenger hasn’t completed it (unlike visas, where an airline can be fined for transporting someone without a visa). This means it’s usually on you, the traveler, to have it done. That said, it’s not impossible that an airline staff familiar with Thai rules might remind passengers or ask if you have filled the “arrival card online.” But in most reports, airlines aren’t asking for TDAC proof during boarding or check-in. Do not confuse TDAC with a visa – if you need a visa or visa-on-arrival, those will be checked by airlines. TDAC is more like a health/customs form which is checked by immigration on landing. So, take responsibility to do it yourself; just because the airline didn’t ask doesn’t mean you don’t need it. Skipping it could result in you being pulled aside at Bangkok immigration to fill it, which is a hassle you don’t want after a long flight.
• Q: What if I forget to do TDAC and land in Thailand without one
  A: If you truly forgot, don’t panic—Thai immigration will still let you complete it on arrival, but be ready for some inconvenience. You will likely be escorted to a kiosk or given a QR code to scan to fill out the form right there (there are QR code posters and kiosks at booths to access the TDAC site). This will definitely cause a delay—possibly you’ll have to step out of line, fill out the form on your phone, and then re-queue. In worst-case scenarios (imagine a full plane of people who didn’t do it), it could create a backlog. The immigration officers can help if someone is clueless, but it’s much better to avoid this scenario. There’s no fine or punishment for not having done it; TDAC is not meant to be punitive, it’s just required info. So they will let you do it on the spot if needed. But save yourself the trouble and do it ahead of time. If the website was down, or you had technical issues, show the officers any error message or explain—they’ll just have you do it there (or possibly give you a paper form if absolutely necessary). In summary, you won’t be refused entry solely for not having pre-submitted TDAC (as long as you complete it before leaving immigration), but it will definitely make your arrival slower. Pro tip: some airports have free Wi-Fi before immigration—you could hop on the Wi-Fi and quickly fill TDAC on your phone if you realize mid-flight you forgot. But again, advance completion is the way to go.
• Q: The form asks for a departure/onward flight—what if I haven’t booked my exit, or I’m not sure when I’m leaving?
  A: The TDAC form does have fields for “Departure Date” and “Flight No. (Departure)”, but these are marked as “if applicable.” You do not need an onward ticket to submit the TDAC itself. If you have one, it’s good to fill it in—especially because Thai immigration (separately from TDAC) often expects tourists on visa exemption to have proof of onward travel within 30 or 60 days. But if you truly have no fixed plans (for example, you might leave by land, or you’re on a long-term visa), you can leave the departure info blank or choose an option like “Not applicable.” TDAC won’t be rejected for that. However, be aware of the general Thai visa rule: if you’re entering visa-free or on a tourist visa, you may be asked by the airline or immigration for an onward ticket. This isn’t a TDAC rule, it’s a visa rule. So while leaving it blank on TDAC is fine, consider having some proof of onward travel to satisfy the airline or IO if they ask (common for one-way ticket travelers). In short: TDAC doesn’t force you to show a departure, but your **visa status might—**fill it in if you have it, skip if you don’t, and be prepared to explain your plans if asked on arrival.
• Q: Does filling out TDAC replace any other immigration requirements, like TM30 or 90-day registration?
  A: No, TDAC is separate from those post-arrival requirements. TDAC is purely your entry card (information on you entering the country)—it replaced the old TM6 arrival/departure card that you used to staple in your passport. Once you’re through immigration, the usual rules apply: if you’re staying in a hotel, the hotel will do a TM30 report (which notifies immigration of your address) within 24 hours—you don’t do that; it’s the hotel or landlord’s job. If you’re staying in a private residence (friend’s house, Airbnb), the homeowner should technically do a TM30 for you as well (Thai law requirement), but tourists don’t usually deal with this directly; your host handles it. And if you’re staying long enough to require 90-day reporting (applicable to stays over 90 days on certain visas), you will still need to do those reports with immigration as before—TDAC doesn’t cover ongoing stay reporting. Think of TDAC as Step 1 when you arrive; TM30/90-day are about reporting while you’re in Thailand. They serve different purposes, and unfortunately TDAC doesn’t exempt anyone from TM30 or other immigration notifications. So, complete TDAC to get in, then follow the usual procedures depending on your length of stay.
• Q: Any other tips to know?
  A: A few final pointers for a smooth experience:
  • Use a reliable internet connection when filling out TDAC, and preferably Chrome or a modern browser. Some users reported occasional errors if the connection drops. If you get an error after hitting submit (e.g., a “429” or “Unknown error”), don’t panic—just refresh or try again, and it usually goes through.
  • If you don’t receive the email with QR code, it could be a typo in your email or a spam filter issue. You can try to update your TDAC using the passport number on the site (there’s an option to retrieve or edit a submitted card) or just submit a new one to a correct email. The email is convenient, but not absolutely necessary—the important part is that it’s in the system. And you should have made that screenshot at submission time as backup!
  • Scams to avoid: Besides fake TDAC websites, also be cautious of anyone on forums or social media spreading confusion (apparently there was some misinformation early on by a particular individual—if you see conflicting info, double-check with official sources). Remember: No legitimate service will charge you just to fill out TDAC. It’s straightforward to do on your own. If you’re ever unsure, ask in a reputable travel community or check Thai immigration’s official FAQ.
  • Language barrier: The TDAC form is available in multiple languages. If you struggle with English or Thai, feel free to switch the language on the site—it’s meant to be user-friendly for international travelers. And if you have older family members traveling who aren’t tech-savvy, help them fill it out before the trip.
  • Printing the QR code: Not needed, but if you love physical backups, you can print the email confirmation. It will have a QR code and possibly a summary of your info. This isn’t required by immigration, but having a print can save your day if your phone dies unexpectedly. Up to you – most people skip printing and have no issues.
  • After arrival: Enjoy Thailand! There’s no further action required for TDAC once you’re through immigration. Just keep that record until you depart. When you leave Thailand, there’s no longer a departure card to hand in. Immigration will record your exit automatically. They might ask if you remember your entry date or just scan your passport. Sometimes having the TDAC email helps if there was any data issue, but usually it’s smooth.

Thailand’s Digital Arrival Card is meant to simplify your entry. With the above guide, you should be able to complete TDAC confidently and focus on your trip. Safe travels and hello welcome to the Land of Smiles 😄🇹🇭!

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